I've constantly read advice here about taking the Class 1 Medical in the state where training/exams are going to be taken. I live in the UK but am considering training in Poland or somewhere in EU so I don't want to get there and find out I need something from my GP in the UK before they'll issue my Class 1... or worse yet, fail the Class 1 and don't know where to go.

Can someone point me to where the rules are regarding getting the medical and would I need to transfer it? For example, getting the Class 1 here in the UK then going to Poland for training, will they honor my Class 1 from the UK or will I have to re-take a Class 1 in Poland?

Thanks in advance for the help!

rudestuff

16th Oct 2018 18:25

Your licence must be issued by the state that issued your medical. Where you train is irrelevant as long as the examiner is approved by the state - which most are. That’s it.

Now go and get one. Until you do, anything else is a waste of time.

Nurse2Pilot

16th Oct 2018 23:31

Source please?

If I understand this correctly, I can go to an EU state where medicals are cheap, get the initial done there, do my training in the UK, then return to that EU state to take my exams and that will be a valid way to do this?

Just a bit hesitant about getting one due to the cost in the UK and the horror stories I've heard from instructors about people failing for silly reasons. I'm not exactly the fittest of specimens otherwise I'd have done it long ago! So now I'm trying to see if, for the cost of a UK initial Class 1, maybe it'll be cheaper to fly out to an EU state, get it done there, as well as visit some of the schools in that area as well. Kill two birds with one stone, so to speak.

With Brexit coming up, I don't think a UK-issued license will be as coveted as it once was.... am I wrong in thinking this?

wiggy

17th Oct 2018 06:13

Quote:

Just a bit hesitant about getting one due to the cost in the UK and the horror stories I've heard from instructors about people failing for silly reasons.

You are going to have to bite the bullet on this at some point and as I’m sure you realise nothing about flying training is cheap... If you go overseas you’ll have to factor in transport costs and I’d suggest a hotel, food etc.- You won’t be doing yourself any favours pitching up for a medical straight off a noisy flight (hearing test) and with an elevated stress level because you’ve been worrying all morning about the flight operating to schedule (blood pressure).

I’m really not sure what you’ve heard about U.K., over the years I’ve done a few dozen Class Ones with various U.K. AMEs and they have been fine and they have an interest you flying, not grounding you..as for foreign medicals being in some way “easier”...well can’t really comment objectively on that but it’s not meant to work that way.

Nurse2Pilot

17th Oct 2018 08:41

That is so true, wiggy. I have to jump off this cliff at some point! Just trying to make an informed decision before stepping off, that's all. I'm not sure where you got the idea of turning up in an AME straight from the airport or that foreign medicals are "easier"?

Anyway, still not decided whether to do my training here or in Poland or somewhere else in the EU and that's why I'm asking for the rules around this. I'd hate to get a medical here then decide on doing my training in Poland and then finding out I'll have to spend yet again for a medical over there.

parkfell

17th Oct 2018 13:35

Do the initial medical where you intend to train and undertake the EASA exams.
Once you are issued with the CPL/IR then you can decide where future medicals take place.

Be in possession of your class one medical before undertaking any professional training.

Nurse2Pilot

17th Oct 2018 17:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by parkfell
(Post 10285447)

Do the initial medical where you intend to train

Indecision on that area is where I'm getting snagged on.

parkfell

17th Oct 2018 21:01

Is it the thought that the UK will leave the EU without a deal, and the UK will not remain in EASA.
The UK wish to remain part of EASA although there are contingency plans for the CAA to take full control again should the EU decide not to allow the UK to remain a lower tier (associated) member.

In common with all EU negotiations it will go to the wire. Look at Greece on the verge of crashing out of the euro in July 2015 owing €320bn at that point.
It will eventually all implode when they finally recognise "the Emperor's new clothes". It will effect everyone worldwide.

Thankfully the UK kept the Pound Sterling.

Nurse2Pilot

17th Oct 2018 21:42

Brexit among other things but mainly cost and my general overall health. Like I said, I'm not exactly as fit as I was in my early 20's, stress at work taking it's toll, etc. so I'm also worried that I would fail the medical and be out of £500+ with nothing to show for it. This is why I'm looking at doing it elsewhere and killing two birds with one stone.... if I fail, then I still killed one bird.

I always look at the worst-case scenarios, which I'm told isn't exactly a good thing.

But all of this may be a moot point very soon. I've signed up for a few flights at the local flight school so flying here in the UK will mean getting my medical here anyway. Sent an email to one of the AeMCs as well to schedule an appointment.

parkfell

17th Oct 2018 21:54

You need to see your GP without delay to discuss your health issues. You don't have to be superman to pass a class one.
Just healthy and likely to remain so. Are all the component parts working normally?
If you think your health will deteriorate significantly over coming years prior to aged 60+, then forgot professional flying. Stick with your local flying club and a class two medical.

Officer Kite

17th Oct 2018 22:19

Done medicals in both the UK and Lithuania, aside from being over 8 times cheaper in Lithuania, one may argue it was harder by a not too dissimilar factor. I'm early 20s and not particularly overweight or out of shape too. The UK medical was a lot more relaxed and in a weird way - enjoyable. Leaving the Lithuanian one though I felt totally drained, never been picked and pulled at so much in my life whilst being told I somehow had bad peripheral vision (despite 0 issues in the UK). Still got my medical with no limitations I guess.

From colleagues I also know for a fact that other European countries can be just as difficult. One person passed in one country for the same issue another country (Denmark) failed him. Don't think going outside the UK will be easier, it is likely to backfire totally in the event there is actually something up.

Anyway, the medical must have been done in the country in which you wish to have your license issued. You can't do a Greek medical then do your training in Portugal and get a Portuguese license. You would have to get a renewal in Portugal done before license issue.

Nurse2Pilot

18th Oct 2018 00:22

Oh, no issues with the GP, the issues are dealt with and under control, I think it's just the unknown of taking the Class 1. However, the term "healthy" can take on a really different meaning once working in my field ;)

Officer Kite, one of the issues was that I wasn't really sure which state/country I want my license issued from, as from reading on these forums, it doesn't really seem like one state's license is looked at more favorably than others. The determining factor was more of which airline employs the pilot and which state was easier to work with in terms of the speed at which they push the paper around, I guess.

chockablock

18th Oct 2018 01:22

I went to Poland for the initial medical, it was 600 zloty in Warsaw and £50 for flights. With Hotel, food and few beers it cost me around £300 all in. I figured if I fail the medical it hasn't cost me too much and I've had a jolly to Warsaw.

It was cheap but the language barrier is a big issue and the facilities are old. It was very busy with military students and there is a queuing system in place for each exam. Pilots have priority over students and are seen to quicker than everyone else although I didn't know this because I don't speak Polish. I met a Ryanair captain who was there for a medical and he translated a lot for me. Had it not been for him the experience would not have been enjoyable.

I've since transferred my medical records to the UK which cost another £77. However, the Polish CAA cut my name out of my ECG trace before they sent it which meant I had to get another trace done by an AME at a cost of £75.

The SOLI was a ball ache too.

Best advice is to do it in the country you intend to issue your license, oh and get it done before you invest in flight training.

parkfell

18th Oct 2018 07:20

Nurse2Pilot

I have now read your post September 2017 which goes a long way to explain your present thread.
The Integrated route is more expensive and more intense. Unless the grey manner is up to it, the modular route might be a more gentle route for a more mature chap, and you can regulate the pace.
And of course you will have family pressures to take into account which most junior birdmen (early 20's) don't have to deal with. This can be a serious distraction.

What counts is how well the training went, and not was it Integrated or Modular. Modular can be essentially full time as well.
The critical part of the training is post CPL/IR, when you undertake the MCC phase. This is the açid test as to your suitability to airline flying.
Get your PPL first, see what your learning curve is like, then consider if the professional route is for you.

Dufo

18th Oct 2018 09:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by chockablock
(Post 10285924)

However, the Polish CAA cut my name out of my ECG trace before they sent it which meant I had to get another trace done by an AME at a cost of £75.

Always request signed/stamped copies of exams you do at medicals.

Nurse2Pilot

18th Oct 2018 22:37

chockablock, that's exactly my thought process for doing my Class 1 in another state! Killing two birds with one stone, but I think I may have to settle for training here in the UK as it'll be less disruption in terms of work and family life. At least for the PPL stage. We'll see how it is later on.

parkfell, if you refer to my very first post here, rest assured I've moved on from that position a long while ago! I'm going for modular training now. My employer can only give me 12 months sabbatical at most, plus the cost for Integrated is, well, you know. In all honesty, I won't know if the professional route is for me until I'm actually doing the job. For example, prior to my nursing training, I didn't really like gory movies and was near collapsing watching a Discovery Channel video about a minor operation on a foot. At that point, I was sure nursing wasn't for me!! Since then, I've touched some patient's brain and helped tuck the skull in his abdomen, touched another patient's spine, handled an amputated foot, numerous digits, helped put someone's guts back in, taken out kidneys for transplants, assisted in organ donation operations, more CPRs than I'd care to do, and so on..... things that would've never occurred to me that I could do 15 years ago! Whether I can hack an airline pilot job, I can't really tell until I'm there, but I'm pretty sure I want to fly so a PPL is a given. Whether I progress further after that will depend on time and money afterwards, but I can't really determine that until I'm in that situation, so I've stepped off the cliff now and have booked myself for some flying lessons. The gray matter hasn't really been taxed so much recently, it'll be good for it to be exercised again!!

A friend of mine found out about an aeromedical examiner in a nearby hospital and suggested that instead of going down to London for a Class 1, why not get a Class 2 for now (seeing as I've resigned to doing at least a PPL first), then get the doctor to advise me on what to do to improve my chances of passing a Class 1 medical later on. Spend £100+ and less stress compared to "risking" £500+ and freaking out. I'm thinking it'll be at least 3-6 months to knock out my PPL anyway plus a few flights hour-building and that'll give me enough time to sort out any issues the doctor might find. I should mention that this doctor can do Class 1 re-certification as well. Is there any merit to this plan?

parkfell

19th Oct 2018 08:03

The benefit of the modular route is that you can plan your life around other aspects of it.
I went for my CPL/IR whilst in full time employment. I was fortunate as I was working shifts as an ATCO at ScACC and could get my head in the books either before or after work. Started in the July and completed the written exams in the following April. I did have a head start as the ATCO exams helped. This was pre JAR & EASA so no requirement to complete any course as such. You simply applied for the exams when you felt ready. I was a part time FI so hour building was not a factor.

The local AME will be able to give you advice as to medical certification. So all being well, obtain your class two, and complete your PPL training. Obtain the class one prior to the (? Distant) learning for the EASA written exams.
Meaningful hour building including night and instrument flying (IMC/IRR) attached to your PPL. 300 nm XCTY. R/T test.

Exactly why I opted for the modular route! Easier to fit life and work around it, but probably at the expense of a longer training time.

It'll be PPL for me for now. I guess my next set of questions will be with regards to completing the PPL and after that, what to plan into my hour building for me to get the most out of it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by parkfell
(Post 10286885)

A journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step.

Sometimes, it's taking that first step that's the hardest!

AngelsTen

22nd Oct 2018 11:17

nurse2pilot,

I was the same as you, in my thirties, body has been through a bit, I was fretting about the medical. So to ease my worries, I booked myself In for a class 1 pre-medical.

It was handled in the exact same way as an intital, underwent all the same examinations, then I sat with the AME and he discussed my results. Told me what they might want more info on etc. I put my questions to him. Yes it was £200, but it certainly eased my woes and it will give you an idea of what your up against in terms of your health for when you attend the intital class 1 medical. But In my eyes, it was money well spent.

Kind Regards
AngelsTen

Nurse2Pilot

22nd Oct 2018 15:41

Thanks AngelsTen! Can you tell me which AME you went to? I'm guessing he's able to revalidate Class 1's but not able to do an initial Class 1? Or did you go to an AeMC?